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The Royal Marsden School

Principles of Breast Cancer Care

Cost

£1300

Delivery method

Fully On-line

Length of module

It runs over approximately 12 weeks

Estimated hours of study

200 hours

Academic credits and level

20 credits at level 6 or 7

Entry requirements

The learner should be working with Patients Affected by Breast Cancer (PABBC)

Course availability

Apply now

Course summary

Effective management of breast cancer continues to provide health care professionals with many challenges. Each year over 55,000 people are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United Kingdom alone (Cancer Research UK, 2022). With a greater focus on evidence- based treatments (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2018) and improved access to screening (Department of Health, 2007), 75% of adult female invasive breast cancer patients diagnosed in England and Wales are predicted to survive ten or more years (Office for National Statistics, 2019).

To improve survival, we need to diagnose this disease early on by encouraging attendance at the NHS Breast Cancer Screening Programme. However, the screening programme only does not invite all women to attend and there has been a rise in the number of young women who present with an aggressive form of the disease, thus highlighting a need to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in healthcare professionals and the public, (NICE, 2019). Treating breast cancer is a complex process hence the need to develop and utilise evidence-based care and to ensure that those involved in providing this care receive the appropriate education that give them the tools to do this.


This module’s content is closely aligned to the Cancer Nursing Education Framework, (EONS,2018), and the Education Framework for Nursing, (RCN, 2022).
The purpose of this module is to provide learners with the opportunity to further develop their knowledge in relation to the current management of people affected by breast cancer, (PABBC).


This module aims to provide an online learning environment in which learners can critically explore the impact that breast cancer can have on PABBC and ways in which to support them throughout their cancer trajectory.

 The modules were excellently timed for me as it consolidated my knowledge and gave me the confidence I needed to carry out my role as a breast care nurse. 

Student quote

This module is in association with: UEA-logo

Key topics

  • Breast cancer diagnosis and staging
  • Treatment options and their application in current practice.
  • The role of the MDT in breast cancer care
  • Supporting – people affected by breast cancer throughout their cancer journey
  • Communication in breast cancer care
  • Exploring the evidence behind breast cancer care throughout the cancer journey, highlighting any areas where care could be improved

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module at Level 6 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the main complexities of breast cancer diagnosis throughout the disease trajectory
  • Examine the evidence behind the treatment options for the breast cancer patient population and how they are communicated to the patients
  • Critically explore the application of current guidelines and contemporary knowledge in practice in relation to the safe management of symptoms and side-effects throughout the breast cancer journey
  • Explore current contemporary evidence of people affected by breast cancers’ experience of supportive care using clinical judgement and personal experience to implement best current practice into their care 
  • Critically analyse own role in breast cancer management, highlighting any areas where care could be improved, and personal development is required

On successful completion of the module at Level 7 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the main complexities of breast cancer, risk, diagnosis and development and decision making throughout the disease trajectory
  • Critically explore the evidence behind the treatment options for the breast cancer patient population and how they are communicated to people affected by breast cancer in current practice
  • Critically analyse the application of current guidelines and contemporary knowledge in practice in relation to the management of symptoms and side-effects         
  • Critically examine current contemporary evidence of people affected by breast cancers’ experience of supportive care and use clinical judgement and personal experience to implement best current practice into their care
  • Critically analyse own role in one aspect of breast cancer management highlighting any areas for development of services to improve patient care including own professional development

Dates

On-line live interactive sessions on 16 February, 9 March and 6 April 2023
E-learning activities released on 23 February, 2, 16, 23 and 30 March 2023
Submission date: 1 June 2023

On-line live interactive sessions on 29 June, 20 July and 17 August 2023
E-learning activities released on 6, 13, 27 July, 3 and 10 August 2023
Submission date: 21 September 2023

Assessment

Level 6: Mini Portfolio: 2,000 Words
Level 7: Mini Portfolio: 3,000 Words

Student support

Tutorials with the module leader or personal tutor are available if students require additional help with the planning and writing of their assignments. Email and telephone support are also available from the module leader/personal tutor. 

The Royal Marsden School uses an online environment called Moodle which students must access during their studies to support and enhance our courses. The site provides resources and communication tools. All students will be provided with a username and password to access module specific sections as well as general learning support such as study skills and library resources. Students also have access to the David Adams Library and Electronic Resource Centre. 

To get the best from the live video-conferencing sessions and enable you to participate fully you should have access to a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone. If you have any concerns or need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Related pathways

This stand-alone module also forms part of these pathways: